The Peer Counselor is responsible for providing leadership through encouraging individuals in the crisis stabilization program to recognize that recovery from mental health symptoms and/or substance use is possible. Peer Counselors educate individuals and model the steps and actions of the recovery process.

The Peer Counselor is a QPPMH or QMHP-Adult who is or has been a recipient of mental health services for severe and persistent mental illness. The peer specialist shall be a fully integrated team member who provides peer support directly to individuals and provides leadership to other team members in understanding and supporting individuals' recovery goals.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Participates as member of residential crisis stabilization team, maintaining effective inter and intra-agency working relationships

Demonstrate a positive regard for consumers and their families (e.g., from a trauma informed perspective provides treatment collaboratively with consumers respecting them as individuals, allowing risk-taking, avoiding stereotypes, respecting consumers' and families' privacy, advocacy, believing in consumers recovery and that they are valuable members of society)

Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with individuals with mental health and/or substance use/intellectual disability who are experiencing a psychiatric crisis

Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with individuals with TDO/NGRI/Other Court mandated status

Develop essential therapeutic relationships that foster independence and support recovery and the change dynamic

Provides short term crisis intervention services, in conjunction with the crisis stabilization team and individuals served, including intake, assessment, psychiatric, substance and suicidality monitoring, linkage and follow up with therapists/case managers.

Demonstrates the lived recovery experience from mental health symptoms and/or substance use and models the steps and actions of the recovery process.

Leads program groups and activities to support individuals and provides education about recovery from mental health and/or substance use.

Provides individual and group psycho-education regarding the steps in the recovery process, including identifying desires, hopes and dreams through dialog and active listening, including Illness Management and Recovery trainings.

Assists consumers with problem solving and goal setting to move into the recovery process to achieve crisis stabilization, short term and long term goals and dreams.

Facilitates the development of WRAP plans and Crisis Intervention Plans to foster resilience and reduce the incidences of high cost psychiatric interventions

Encourages the identification and use of natural supports and community based services to return the individual to previous, or higher level of functioning

Educates about and encourages individuals regarding the self-administration of medications.

Consults with other service providers, family, and significant others.

Complete all documentation effectively, thoroughly, and in a timely manner. Maintain clinical and financial documentation in compliance with all relevant regulations and policies

Provides specialized assistance or instruction to individuals in the completion of Activities of Daily Living (bathing, toileting, dressing, etc)

Follows all CR policies including maintaining a safe and secure environment.

Responsible for professional development, e.g., attends professional trainings and seminars related to work in the mental health field, substance use, intellectual disability and court mandated status/TDO

Participates in required staff and supervision meetings on a regular basis.

Other Functions

Communicates effectively and clearly to all staff

Maintains professional conduct and appearance

Attends and participates in scheduled team meetings and trainings

Promotes continuous quality improvement and professional empowerment

Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications Required

Education, Experience, Licensure:

Qualified Mental Health Professional-Adult (QMHP)

Must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in the Human Services Field

Must have a minimum of 1 year supervised experience in the field of mental health

Qualified Paraprofessional in Mental Health (QPPMH)

Registered with the United States Psychiatric Association (USPRA) as an Associate Psychiatric Rehabilitation Provider (APRP);

has an associate's degree in a related field (social work, psychology, psychiatric rehabilitation, sociology, counseling, vocational rehabilitation, human services counseling) and at least one year of experience providing direct services to individuals with a diagnosis of mental illness;

has a minimum of 90 hours classroom training and 12 weeks of experience under the direct personal supervision of a QMHP-Adult providing services to individuals

The views, opinions, and content of this website and everything posted on this website do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

The National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse is funded in part by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.